Beguiling Her Enemy Warrior


 
 
 
 Shieldmaiden Sisters
 Three resourceful women, not looking for but finding...love
 Loyalty is everything to half sisters Valda, Brynhild and Helga. Their courageous shieldmaiden mother had raised them to be independent and, now that the family has fallen on hard times, each sister must find a way to help restore their fortunes. Being resourceful, they have no need of men, but the right ones come along just when they’re least expected. 
 Read Valda’s story inThe Viking She Would Have Married
 Brynhild’s inTempted by Her Outcast Viking
 And now Helga’s story inBeguiling Her Enemy Warrior
 All available now!
 
 
 Author Note
 While researching herbal medicines of the early medieval period, it became clear that women had a great role to play in the health and well-being of their community. For example, Hildegard von Bingen was a medieval nun who wrote a book on medicine, actively encouraging women to have autonomy over their own bodies. If the past has taught us anything, it is that we should not persecute women for being different or wanting to control their own destiny. 
 This book is a thank-you to all women, past and present, but especially to the healers who help people with their knowledge, kindness and intuition. The world would be a darker place without you.
 Also, a special mention goes out to fellow Historical author Lissa Morgan who helped me with my Welsh spellings and facts. Thank you!
 
 
 LUCY MORRIS
 Beguiling Her Enemy Warrior
 
 
 
 Lucy Morris lives in Essex, UK, with her husband, two young children and two cats. She has a massively sweet tooth and loves gin, bubbly and Irn-Bru. She’s a member of the UK Romantic Novelists’ Association. She was delighted to accept a two-book deal with Harlequin after submitting her story to the Warriors Wanted! submission blitz for Viking, Medieval and Highlander romances. Writing for Harlequin Historical is a dream come true for her and she hopes you enjoy her books!
 Books by Lucy Morris
 Harlequin Historical
 The Viking Chief’s Marriage Alliance
 A Nun for the Viking Warrior
 Shieldmaiden Sisters
 The Viking She Would Have Married
 Tempted by Her Outcast Viking
 Beguiling Her Enemy Warrior
 Visit the Author Profile pageat Harlequin.com.
 
 
 For all the healers and wise women, past and present.
 
 
 Contents
 Chapter One
 Chapter Two
 Chapter Three
 Chapter Four
 Chapter Five
 Chapter Six
 Chapter Seven
 Chapter Eight
 Chapter Nine
 Chapter Ten
 Chapter Eleven
 Chapter Twelve
 Chapter Thirteen
 Chapter Fourteen
 Chapter Fifteen
 Chapter Sixteen
 Chapter Seventeen
 Chapter Eighteen
 Chapter Nineteen
 Chapter Twenty
 Chapter Twenty-One
 Chapter Twenty-Two
 Chapter Twenty-Three
 Chapter Twenty-Four
 Chapter Twenty-Five
 Chapter Twenty-Six
 Chapter Twenty-Seven
 Epilogue
 Excerpt from Conveniently Wed to the Laird by Jeanine Englert
 
 
 Chapter One
 Jorvik—AD 913
 Brynhild and Erik would be lovers soon. Helga was certain of it.
 A smug satisfaction warmed her heart as she watched them bicker, oblivious to her presence. Of course, they didn’t realise their destiny, not yet, but it was clear their souls were bound together, like the entwined warp and weft of a tapestry.
 Two fierce warriors, one dark and one golden. Strong, unyielding opposites, yet perfectly balanced reflections of one another.
 Lesser men dived out of their way as they strode through the bustling crowds of Jorvik. Erik appeared calm, his voice low and sincere as they passed out of the market and into the alleys beyond. He had a lot to say—Erik, son of Ulf—which was odd in itself. Normally, Erik was as silent as a shadow with everyone, but it seemed Brynhild was the exception.
 In contrast, Helga’s eldest sister used her words like one of her weapons, with heavy and direct force. Her face was currently flushed with temper and her long strides would have forced others into a run. But not Erik—he matched her in all ways.
 Helga began to lag behind, taking her time as she meandered through the market stalls at her own pace—she had given up trying to keep up with her sisters long ago.
 Besides, she suspected Erik and Brynhild needed a moment alone together. Some of Helga’s best remedies benefited from a little maturing time, without prodding or interference on her part. Feisty Brynhild would probably do well with similar treatment.
 Soon it will be my turn.
 A spark of excitement ignited the thrill in her veins as she thought about her own future. Valda had married Halfdan yesterday and if things progressed well with Erik and Brynhild, then both her older sisters would finally be married.
 Then it would be her moment in the sun.
 Unlike her sisters, she had always longed to find love. It would not be a cage—as they imagined it to be—for Helga, it would be a joy and she could not wait to fall in love.
 Her sisters’ marriages had always seemed inevitable to Helga. Like the cycle of the moon and the changing of the seasons, she had seen the fate of her sisters long before they had. She only hoped she would recognise her own as easily.
 Stopping at a stall, she bought a loaf of fresh bread and a parcel of honey cakes. Before placing them inside her basket, she lifted them to her face and inhaled deeply. Her mouth watered at the delicious and sweet aroma that rose from them.
 Valda’s wedding feast had put her in a cheerful mood and, despite the lack of sleep from the all-night festivities aboard Halfdan’s ship, she didn’t feel tired. And it would do Brynhild good to have some time alone with a handsome man, especially one who so obviously wanted her.
 Helga stopped in front of a craftsman selling turtle brooches and she took the opportunity to admire them. There was a bronze pair she rather liked—the swirling knotwork design each had a blue glass drop mounted in its centre.
 ‘Try them on!’ The owner smiled, unpinning them from the straw-filled cushion and holding them up to the morning light. The glass danced and